Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Scott Lang narrates his life post-Endgame, celebrated as an Avenger. Cassie presents her Quantum Satellite project at dinner, showing she's following in his heroic footsteps but he's worried about her safety.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Cassie activates her Quantum Satellite, which sends a signal into the Quantum Realm. Janet desperately tries to shut it down but it's too late—a portal opens and violently sucks all five of them into the Quantum Realm. Janet's worst fear has been realized.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.

The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 20% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Scott and Cassie are captured and brought before Kang the Conqueror, who reveals he needs Scott to retrieve something for him—the Multiversal Power Core that can repair his time machine. Scott is forced to choose: work for Kang to save Cassie, or refuse and risk both their lives., moving from reaction to action.

At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 41% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Scott successfully retrieves the power core but Kang reveals his true nature—showing Scott infinite versions of himself that Kang has killed across timelines. Kang takes the core and begins powering his ship. The stakes raise: Kang will escape and destroy entire timelines. The ticking clock begins., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (61% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Kang captures Scott and brutally beats him, demonstrating his vast power. Scott is beaten to the point of near-death, experiencing multiple versions of himself dying across probabilities. Cassie watches helplessly. The multiversal engine is nearly complete. Hope and Janet are pinned down. Whiff of death: Scott nearly dies., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 68% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Scott accepts that Cassie is a hero in her own right. The freedom fighters rally together. Janet shares crucial knowledge about Kang's ship vulnerability. They form a plan: the ants (evolved over thousands of Quantum years) have built a resistance army. Unite everyone to stop Kang together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.